Staff photo by Mike Buhler Corey Simon and the Tennessee Titans may be the X-factor in the National Football League this season. Both the Titans and the St. Louis Rams have given fans reason for optimism leading up to the start of the 2007 NFL season.

The wait for the 2007 NFL season finally ends Thursday night. After almost seven months without pro football (preseason and other leagues aside), it's time for America's game to start back up again.

So what is the prognosis for the Bootheel's three local teams -- the Rams, Titans and Chiefs? We will have stories on each squad in Tuesday's paper, but I'd like to share a little insight on each team now.

St. Louis Rams: In spite of an up-and-down preseason, Rams' fans seem to have a lot to be excited about. Steven Jackson has quietly became one of the NFL's elite backs and could post MVP-caliber numbers in '07, while Marc Bulger has came into his own as a top-flight quarterback. But more than that, the defense looks good. I expect Adam Carriker to have a major impact as a rookie and possibly even be a Rookie of the Year candidate. Additionally, the team has been looking at Simeon Rice and could ink the former All-Pro soon.
Don't look now, but this might be the best team since the Super Bowl years.

Tennessee Titans: I cover the Titans on a regular basis, so I have a different perspective on Tennessee than I do on our two Missouri teams. That said, the Titans might be the X-factor in the NFL this season. On one hand, the team has lost a 1,200-yard rusher, its top two receivers and Pacman Jones from '06, which could make for a long season at LP Field. On the other hand, the replacements for said players have looked good in preseason play and the defense -- ranked last in the league in 2006 -- has looked sharp. If new defensive tackle Corey Simon -- who is back in the league after being sidelined in 2006 -- plays like he did in Philadelphia from 2000-2004, the defense could be one of the better ones in the NFL.
"To me it's a different team, a different style," Simon said after Thursday's preseason game. "I'm just thrilled to have the opportunity to play again after being out a year. I'm just looking to enjoying my time in Tennessee."
I think the Titans will win 10-11 games and make the postseason.

Kansas City Chiefs: Despite a lot of ups and downs, the Chiefs made the playoffs in '06 behind a memorable season from Larry Johnson. But a lot has changed since then. All-Pro lineman Will Shields has retired, Trent Green has been traded away and LJ held out a big part of training camp before getting a contract extension.
While I expect Johnson will be good again, he won't post the numbers or yards per carry he posted last year, and the Chiefs will likely miss the playoffs and end up third in the AFC West.

However, this is just my two cents. We'll see what actually happens...

On an interesting note, the Rams are the closest NFL team to Kennett at 210-211 miles away, while the Titans are in the 215- to 220-mile range. Kansas City is 438 miles from Kennett. Ironically, two other teams, the Colts (390 miles) and the Bengals (434 miles) are closer to Kennett than the Chiefs.